Ubuntu with 1 app

It's pretty clear that "ChromeOS" is just going to be Ubuntu with Chrome installed (see omgubuntu.co.uk for info and screenshots)... Chrome then has the clock, battery and wifi integrated into it's title bar.

Hardly any of the 'general population' has heard of Ubuntu, but EVERYONE has heard of google - and I reckon it won't take long for a chunk of PC users to start demanding "the simplicity of google chrome" (ie. no viruses or apps, just pure web browsing). They can't complain at the price either.

It could be the start of a mass migration to Linux in all but name. What bets M$ will start offering Windows for £0 to consumers soon?

Is it really an OS

Am I missing something? It's a browser with a clock, battery and network thingy in the title bar, which probably reads from the underlying kernel.

I developed a selling system at work which reduces the need for users to have to touch their Windows desktop - built-in web browser with favourites, clock, news ticker, terminal, etc - does that mean it's an OS? No.

An OS interacts directly with the underlying hardware - this is an application running atop an OS (Ubuntu to be specific.) It won't boot up any quicker than Ubuntu will, so why not just use Ubuntu with Firefox?

Sorry Google, you've not impressed me yet, FAIL.

ah just what I need

a google 'all your data belongs to us' OS? but hey if it persuades people to move to ubuntu its not all bad

About time

Someone lights M$ balls on fire!

Paris, cos she's always on fire.

Ok d'ok

1 - point about OS is a good one.

Is it an OS or is it a UI/GUI sitting on top of an OS?

Maybe it does need IEEE to clarify (OS or a skin that sits on an OS?)

2 - Adobe? Doing hardware?

"Hardware partners on the project include Acer, Adobe, ASUS,... "

OS Debate

Linux = a kernel

Ubuntu - ships Linux, so is an OS

Fedora - ships Linux, so is an OS

Chrome OS = ships Linux, so is an OS

Chrome OS is no different except the fact that it has less/different parts between the kernel and the browser. It still runs in its own right, so it's an OS

So Chrome is...

an up-to-date Linux kernel with a Google-branded browser...

And, oh YEAH, all the hooks to pipe all of your personal data (probably including web browsing, documents stored and "indexed for you" on your PC, use of Google Maps (and historical trend analysis of said), et al) back to the Google information factory, where it will be used to further extend Google's dominance in the on-line ad space (web and mobile now!) - and in congruence with Google Maps into meatspace advertising market as well.

It's a brilliant plan, really. As someone that used to work for a network operator, I can tell you they are absolutely jealous of Google's reach into personal data - and Android/Chrome just cement it. I thought that having access on all mobile calls for 1/3 of the UK's population for analysis of customer behavior was pretty cool, but Google just eclipse that by miles.

But, of course, it can't be a platform for evil now, can it?

Mine's the one with the Ubuntu-branded kernel, because as demigod-like Shuttleworth may try to be, at least he doesn't collect all my personal data...nor does he want to. And there's always Debian to fall back on should UbuntuOne change that...

Likely ubuntu

@DZ-Ray:

It *is* pretty likely that it's Ubuntu, or at the very least Debian based... Because the early builds that were available to download from google were .debs.

Google Chrome+Google Docs = free

Microsoft Windows+Office = ££££

Don't get me wrong, Google is as bad as Microsoft with their world-domination plans, it's just that most people haven't recognised it yet.